Subjective Question

great question, intersting nobody ever responded

I don't believe red shirting can be evaluated as a subject. It has to be evaluated on a case by case basis depending on the situation and the player's objectives. One advantage to red shirting is as a fifth year senior the player has automatic acceptance to grad school (assuming he graduated after four years). If a kid has a stud junior/draft year it won't matter he sat out his first year.

As RJM stated, there can be academic advantages, as my son who was a DII redshirt is taking graduate courses even though he is only a Junior in baseball eligibility. I think how well it works depends on the coach and how he views redshirts. Some posters have commented before that if a player is  redshirted he probably doesn't figure in the coaches long term plans but in my son's case it was never like that from the very beginning. There was a three time all conference player blocking him in his position. This year for the present number one DII in the country, the coach at his school has two former redshirts as two of the starting pitchers and one as the starting centerfielder for the last two years. There are two or three position players that were redshirted last year that I feel will be big contributers next year when the team loses a lot of seniors.

There's always the fear that redshirts will be bypassed or thought of as second tier players.

I can state for a fact that redshirts can be First Team All Conference, All Regional, World Series All tournament, and nominated for the Tino Martinez Best DII player award in the highest rated DII conference in the country. A lot of it depends on how a player uses that season as far as working out when the team is traveling and how the coach uses red shirts.

Danny, valid question.  I am struggling with my sons situation, he was brought in under a new HC as part of his 1st recruiting class and is virtually the only Fr. that has not seen the field except for a couple of injured ones. The coach has never given him a clear cut answer why, I think he is "owed" an explanation at the very least.  I see RS as either VERY positive, that they want to continue to build around him going fowrard or VERY bad, may not want to keep him around at all and want to save face by not wasting a yr of eligiblity, any thoughts on that thinking?

If a player is redshirted, do not hesitate to have him speak to the coach as to why. It will take some mental stress away having answers, the player will know what best direction to go with, and it will more than likely show the coach a player that cares and truly wants to be there. Honestly there aren't many kids that have the courage to ask about their predicaments with the coach. It is a win-win situation.  

Also, do not look at redshirting as a predicament immediately if it does so happen. It can be an opportunity given the gift of extra time to get better and make what were once uncomfortable zones into comfortable ones at the higher level they are now at through learning and patience.

Trusting the process.

CoachK, very well put! Great advice.  However, the way I understand it is that they cant technically declare them as a RS til after the season is over.  I told my son its best to confront the HC on this as he is the eventual decision maker and you need to be fully prepared to accept either decision as an adult (RS due to wanting to build around you or RS to cut you from the team and save you a yr to go elsewhere)

Be prepared everyday until then. You never know when an opportunity will arise.

Worry about the rs situation when the time comes. No need to have worry hinder the opportunity of taking in as much as possible where ever he is.

Depends on your objective. If you want to get out of school and move on with your life then don't worry about it. What will be will be. If you want to play another year then redshirt. (and if the program will fund the last year... or parents, or loans) If you want to me drafted, then maybe redshirt, maybe not, each case is different. Most Jr drafted players are not redshirting and are starting as freshmen.